U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today welcomed news that China would be ending the ban on U.S. beef that began in 2003:
“This is game-changing news for Montana ranchers,” Daines stated. “The beef market is critical to Montana jobs and the economy. With over 95% of the world’s consumers living outside the US, opening markets abroad for Montana agricultural exports is essential. Having the ability to access a new market, especially one as large and significant as China, will help keep Montana in business where there are two times as many cattle as people. I was recently in China and repeatedly raised this very important issue with top Chinese officials and Ambassador Baucus, and I’m glad that this ban has been lifted for our state and for the beef industry.”
Daines with Ambassador Max Baucus in China this past May.
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Errol Rice, Montana Stockgrowers Association Executive Vice President: “The Montana Stockgrowers Association is pleased that China will be lifting its ban on US beef and thanks Senator Daines for his leadership and his efforts to reopen this important market for Montana beef. Being able to export Montana and US beef to China will open up new opportunities for Montana ranchers and help grow our state’s economy.”
In May, Daines led a Congressional Delegation fact-finding mission to China. During the visit, the first issue Daines pressed the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Zhang Dejiang was on ending the ban on U.S. beef. Daines also hand-delivered a letter from the Montana Stockgrowers Association to Zhang.
On July 13, 2016, Daines pressed Chinese Ambassador to the U.S. Cui Tiankai on opening open their market to Montana beef.
Daines spent almost six years in China with Procter and Gamble expanding markets for American brands and products to Chinese consumers.
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